Latosha Reggans is an Extension Educator focusing on 4-H Youth Development in the metro area of Cook County in Illinois. She provides leadership to the 4-H Youth Development Program focusing on 4-H Clubs, 4-H Groups, and Youth Education Initiatives. This includes educating youth about critical youth development issues, guiding program expansion and program quality processes, creating higher education, business, and community partnerships to expand and support 4-H youth development program initiatives. Teach and provide training and support to skilled volunteers who teach and work with youth.
Latosha holds a Bachelor and Master Degree of Social Work with a minor in Children and Families from Governors State University.
Latosha joined the University of Illinois Extension in 2016 as a Horticulture Program Coordinator managing the Chicago Master Gardener volunteers, with a mission of “Helping Others Learn to Grow.” She also brings previous work as a therapist in counseling youth and adults at the Branch Family Institute, which uses a strength-based approach in order to empower individuals and communities to overcome oppression. Latosha’s experience also includes interning at Deborah's Place, a supportive housing program for women providing evidence-based services which include harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing.
Since 2020 “the pandemic has amplified mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.” Latosha’s goal is to help youth define and understand emotions and behaviors through mental health education and social-emotional learning.